Here is some information to help you prepare for the event.

Each child will need to bring the following items in order to participate:

• Swimsuit
• Bike – (make sure it’s in good working order, with tires pumped, and brakes checked. Kinetic Cycles, an event sponsor opening March, in Arden Town, is offering a free bike check and discounted repairs and merchandise.)
• Bike Helmet – (please make sure it fits snug, and is designed to be used for biking)
• Athletic Shoes – (some athletes like using elastic laces to avoid having to tie shoes, if your interested these can be purchased at Fleet Feet Sacramento an event sponsor)
• Shirt – (pin race bib number to front)

Optional items include:

• Towel (used to place your gear on next to your bike, a second towel can be used to dry off if desired)
• Goggles
• Race Belt (instead of pinning bib number to shirt)
• Shorts (to wear over swimsuit during the bike and run legs)
• Socks
• Sunscreen

Tips:

• Arrive early to get familiar with the entrances and exits to the transition area. (Swim to Bike, “Bike-Out”, “Bike-In”, “Run-Out”)
• Find your “wave start time”, which will be posted on the backside of the bathroom building.  View our “Estimated Start Times” as a sample.
• Make sure your setting up in the correct area. Bike racking will be labeled by age group.
• Lay a towel down first, and then place all your items on top in an organized fashion. The more organized you and your gear is, the faster your transition time will be. Keep your gear on your towel so that participants around you can have access to their gear.
• You should have at a minimum on your towel:
  • Athletic Shoes
  • Helmet
  • T-Shirt w/bib number pinned to the front
• If your bike has multiple gears, make sure it’s in a gear that’s easy to start off from.
• When placing your bike in the racking, place the rear wheel of the bike into the rack and not the front wheel, this will prevent the bike from falling over.
• Remember, only participants are allowed inside the transition area, with the exception of participants in the 5-6 age group, which can have one parent only to assist.
• During the swim, it is okay to hold onto the lane lines, should you become tired.
• Attached your bicycle “bib” number (heavy rectangular paper) with provided twist ties in a visible manner to the front of your handlebars. Remembering your number, calling it out to the “timers”, will ensure a smooth and accurate race.
• Pin your running “bib” number (rectangular thin Tyvek number) to the front of your shirt, or to a race belt if desired. You must have your bib number facing forward for the entire run leg.
• Most likely you will see other participants in front of you, which will give you an idea of how things are flowing. Remember older age groups will be doing multiple laps, so don’t just follow the person in front. You need to keep track of how many laps you have to complete, and how many remain. Lap counters will call out when you have completed your required laps, but you need to be responsible for your race.
• Participants are still required to rack their bike themselves after the bike leg. In the Parent/Child division the participating parent may assist as needed.
• The “Transition” is often referred to as the “Fourth Event” in a triathlon. Many finishes are determined on how fast an athlete can transition from one leg to the next. Practicing at home prior to the event will allow your child to become familiar with these transitions. We will have volunteers stationed inside the transition area to assist when needed.